Ebenezer Scrooge may be as greedy and misanthropic as ever, but he’s far removed from the 19th-century London “Christmas Carol” that author Charles Dickens knew so well.

Instead, he’s in a contemporary urban setting, dealing with a diverse cast of characters — some of whom are speaking Spanish.

“It’s probably one of the most culturally diverse casts” featured at NCT in director Christopher Edwards’ three years leading UNLV’s professional theater training program, he says. Edwards left UNLV earlier this year to take the reins of Boston’s Actors’ Shakespeare Project, but he’s back in Las Vegas to direct NCT’s latest “Christmas Carol” production.

The contemporary setting and diverse cast help to bring the lessons of Dickens’ timeless tale into the present day, in Edwards’ view.

“Sometimes, when you do a period piece that deals with current issues, the period tends to give that picture a mask and a separation,” he comments. Without the Victorian-era setting, “it sits these issues in the laps of audiences.”

In other words, “it could be anytime, anyplace, anywhere,” Edwards notes. “What I’ve been saying is, it’s then and now. It’s in the future and now.”

Veteran actor Wesley Mann — a familiar face thanks to roles in everything from “Back to the Future II” to “That’s So Raven” — portrays Scrooge in what he describes as “a more direct, visceral version of the story,” he says. “It gets to the heart of the matter.”

Matters of the heart loom large in many local holiday presentations, from music and dance to celebrations of light.

Matt Kelly Elementary School hosted its third annual Back-to-School Red Carpet Program

Matt Kelly Elementary School hosted its third annual Back-to-School Red Carpet Program where community and business leaders joined to welcome students back with an inspirational welcome. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye

Star Trek fans on show’s enduring popularity

Star Trek fans at the Star Trek Convention 2018 talk about why they think the show has stayed popular across the years Thursday, August 2, 2018. (Marcus Villagran/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

Nonprofit provides clothing for homeless

Sydney Grover of Can You Spare A Story?, talks about how she founded the non-profit organization. (Marcus Villagran/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Members of the National Corvette Restorers Society Convention talk about what it takes to earn the NCRS Top Flight Award for a restored Corvette at South Point in Las Vegas on Tuesday July 17, 2018. (Marcus Villagran/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

Watch Ruthless! at Las Vegas Little Theatre

The musical Ruthless! will be playing at Las Vegas Little Theatre from July 13-29. (Marcus Villagran/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

Hundreds of locals participate in the NO H8 campaign founded by Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley as a response to Proposition 8, a California ban on same-sex marriage. The campaign has since evolved to represent equal treatment for all. (Marcus Villagran/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

What to expect at Station Casinos' Fourth of July celebration

Station Casinos' is hosting its annual 4th of July celebration with Fireworks by Grucci. Fireworks scheduled to go off on Wednesday, July 4 around 9 p.m. at Green Valley Ranch Resort, Red Rock Resort, Fiesta Rancho and Texas Station. (Marcus Villagran/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

Tourists and locals enjoy Independence Day fireworks at Caesars Palace

Hundreds of tourists and locals gaze at the Independence Day fireworks show at Caesars Palace on Saturday, June 30, 2018. (Marcus Villagran/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

Clark County recount votes in commission’s District E primary

Clark County staff begin the recount requested by candidate Marco Hernandez in the democratic primary for the County Commission's District E seat on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. (Marcus Villagran/Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

Long-running local hip hop producer wants Vegas rappers to shine

Las Vegas Hip Hop producer and co-owner of Digital Insight Recording Studios Tiger Stylz reflects on 30 years of music production in the city. (Marcus Villagran/Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

"Pawn Stars" fans from around the world visit the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas following the passing of Richard "Old Man" Harrison on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Marcus Villagran/Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

Construction for new 51s ballpark underway

New home of the Las Vegas 51s is planned to be finished by March 2019 in Summerlin according to team president Don Logan. (Marcus Villagran/Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

"Pawn Stars" fans from around the world visit the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas following the passing of Richard "Old Man" Harrison on Monday, June 25, 2018. (Marcus Villagran/Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

Get a sneak peek at Palace Station's newest renovations

Station Casinos spokesperson Lori Nelson gives a first look at what Palace Station's $192 million renovation will bring. Some areas will begin opening to the public next week according to Nelson. (Marcus Villagran/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @brokejournalist

You Can Only Get The 11-pound 8-person Burger In Las Vegas

You Can Only Get The 11-pound 8-person Burger In Las Vegas (Janna Karel Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Paul McCartney is worth over $1 billion

Sir Paul McCartney is one of the most celebrated and accomplished musicians in history. He just turned 76 on June 18. McCartney grew to international fame with the Beatles and went on to become a wildly successful solo musician. Paul McCartney’s net worth is estimated at $1.2 billion, according to Celebrity Net Worth. In 2017, McCartney landed the No. 13 spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid musicians, earning $54 million for the year. On Thursday, June 20, McCartney will release a double A-side single featuring two new songs, "I Don't Know" and "Come On to Me." McCartney has yet to announce a title of his new album or when it will be released. Th album is expected to be released before he headlines the Austin City Limits Music fest in October.